Bleacher Report: Very Early Top 25 Has Oregon in Top 5
Dec 30, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs past Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Desmond Jackson (99) during the first half at Alamo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
The National title was given to the top team in College Football on Monday to Florida State. On Wednesday fans of Oregon were treated to the release of the full 2014 lineup, including a revised start date for the game with Michigan State and a date at home with Stanford on November 1st. Now the planning begins some 230 days from now for it all to begin. Between now and then many will look at the landscape for next season. Bleacher Report has an early look at what the Top 25 could look like and Oregon fans should be happy.
The Ducks place 2nd on the list, behind Florida State. Of course Starting Quarterback Marcus Mariota and Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu are both returning to lead Oregon for 2014. Several other Pac 12 teams also made the list. Stanford is ranked 7th, UCLA comes in 9th, followed by USC at 11 and Arizona State at 20. Michigan State, who visits the Ducks on September 13th is just behind Stanford at 8th. The Spartans did beat Stanford in the Rose Bowl earlier in the month, which makes me question the positioning there somewhat.
With teams looking for the Top 4 spots next season it looks like Oregon could be in solid shape to make another run at a Championship.